Friday, March 31, 2017

Today’s post is this month’s Funny Friday, a regular feature published on the last Friday of every month. Funny Friday is a collaborative project. Each month one of the participants submits a picture, then we all write five captions or thoughts inspired by that month’s picture. Links to the other bloggers’ posts are below, click on them and see what they’ve come up with. I hope we bring a smile to your face as you start your weekend.

Here’s today’s picture. It was submitted by Me. :)

1. Gigi to herself: Let's see. This looks important, I bet if I just pull this like this, it will all start working. Turn the wheel, pull the stick. I can do this. Easy peasy.

2. Gigi: Okay. Stand back. I know what I am doing. Trust me.

Me to Gigi: I don't trust you.

Gigi: If Daddy can drive this, anyone can.

3. Me to Gigi: Do you want to drive a forklift when you grow up?

Gigi: Yep.

Chad: Following in daddy's footsteps.

Gigi: A doctor who drives a forklift.

Me: That's my girl.

4. Gigi: I am out of here. You coming with?

Me: You don't even have keys.

Gigi: It's okay. It's magic. Vroom.

5. This was taken at Chad's company BBQ. They have a forklift competition, as well as a semi truck competition. Chad earned a trophy in the forklift competition. It was a fun day. Gigi loved "driving the forklift truck". :)

Friday, March 17, 2017

Today’s post is a writing challenge. This is how it works: participating bloggers picked four to six words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That is the challenge, here is a fun twist; no one who is participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.

My words are:

Tetris ~ Rollerblades ~ Big Hair ~ Rubik’s Cube~ Like A Virgin ~ Neon

They were submitted by: Tamara of Confessions of a part-time working mom(Thank you for the awesome words, Tamara. I kinda hate you though. I had two solid plans for this month's words (I NEVER have plans, and this month I had TWO plans), and neither could be applied to these words, so I had to strugggggllllleeeeee..... It's okay, after reconsidering our friendship, I decided I still love you!)

So, I read this month's words, and I immediately transported back to the 80s. I was immediately back in my hammer pants and jelly shoes, with my neon peace sign t-shirt, and my neon jelly bracelets, with my big hair and even bigger bangs.... I remembered what it felt like playing Tetris for the first time, realizing it was the greatest game ever. Watching my cousins skate on Rollerblades, but never being brave enough to try on my own. I remember having the competitions to see who could solve the Rubik's Cube first, or at least who could get the most of it completed. I remember singing Madonna's "Like a Virgin" at the top of my lungs. Good times. Great times. I miss being a kid some days.

Well, now that that is done.... Haha. Just kidding. So, of course when I first read the words, I was transported down memory lane. Then I went to work on formulating my post. My first plan was to add on to Stable Layne. Nope. These words would not work for that. My backup plan had been to write a poem. Nope. I just don't think I could formulate a poem with them. So, I was stumped. So very stumped. I am still kinda stumped, but I decided to do something I have done before. Approach each word individually. I hope it becomes something you enjoy reading.

Tetris: So, as I said above, when I first played Tetris, I thought it was the greatest video game ever. Now, at thirty-four years old, I still think it is the best game ever. It is hands down my favorite game. I still play it. I am AMAZING at it. I will challenge any of you any day, to try to beat me. Spoiler: You won't be able to. I am not even into video games, but I LOVE Tetris.

Rollerblades: I cannot roller skate nor Rollerblade. I tried once to learn how, and it just didn't happen. I was fifteen and my step-mom gifted me her old pair. I tried a couple times to do it, and just couldn't so I gave up. Now, I am the mom of an almost four year old, and I wish I could. I would LOVE to teach her how. She really wants a skateboard, but I would rather she use roller skates or rollerblades. Unfortunately, I have no clue on how to teach her. So, my plan is to buy both her and Chad some rollerblades, and have them figure it out together. Plus, I think Embee could be great at teaching Gigi how. I am tempted to get myself a pair, and try to learn once and for all. So, if I have a broken arm or leg in June, you will know why.

Big Hair: When I think big hair, one thing that comes to mind first are the hair bands that were so popular in my youth. My favorite hair band, hands down is Poison. I know it probably isn't the most popular choice, but it is my choice. This past Saturday, we were driving home from Arizona, and they came on the radio. I told Chad, I would LOVE to attend a Poison concert, and he told me that would probably never be a possibility. Then yesterday, my friend posted on Facebook about a concert coming up, that she wants to attend. If you guessed it is a Poison concert, with special guests Tesla... You are completely right. Can you believe this?! So, yeah. That totally happened. Now, I am hoping to be able to save up enough money to go! Also, I always thought Aerosmith was a hair band, but they aren't. If they were, they would be my favorite. I still have a crush on Steven Tyler, and get a bit giddy when I see him on TV or hear him sing.

Rubik's Cube: As a kid, these were so popular, and we all had them. I actually solved it once. It was only my third or fourth time playing with it, and I just solved it. I do not how I did it, and other than that one time, I never solved it again. All these years later, I now get the joy of watching Gigi play with them. She has several. I bought dozens of them, to put in the goodies bags at her last birthday party, and she was the happy recipient of the leftover ones. She has them in all sizes. Some have pictures, rather than colored squares. She loves them.

Like a Virgin: I could go several ways with this one. I could go deeply personal, or cling to the obvious. Hmmm... So, "Like a Virgin" is not my favorite Madonna song. "Take a Bow" is. It has been, since the very first time I heard it. I love it. I can remember getting excited every time the video came on as a kid, and whenever they played a different one of her videos, I would be sad. Also, I lost my virginity when I was 19 years 6 months and 10 days old. Just in case you were wondering.

Neon: I am not a fan of energy drinks. I do like the coffee flavors that Monster has, but I don't drink them. I did a few years ago, but haven't in years. I just think that energy drinks have a nauseating fake flavor. Plus, they don't give me energy. So, I will pass. However, my friend Gina sells Visalus. They have an energy drink called Neon, and I actually really like it. It actually tastes really good. It doesn't have the fake or floral taste, that I find the other energy drinks to have. It is nice and fruity. I actually really love it. It is great as a mixer for drinks, and it is great on its own. Plus, if you blend it with ice, it makes a yummy slushy. I tried it, because I do like to try new things, but had expected to hate it. It was surprisingly yummy, and I am glad Gina encouraged me to try it. If you ever get the opportunity to try it, you definitely should. Also, my friend Gina can be contacted here, if you are interested. No, I was not paid to say this. It is just my honest opinion, and the first thing that came to mind, when I read the word neon.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

It is that time of the month!! No, not that time... It is poetry time. Once again, my blogging friends have gathered together and chosen a theme, and we are all writing poetry about the theme. The theme for March is luck. Luck. Lucky, luck, luck. Fitting, considering March is the month of luck. I hope you enjoy what I have written for you. Definitely follow the links at the bottom, to see what my friends have written for you!! Poem 1 (Luck):Lucky pennies.Unending wins.Countless blessings.Knowing the future is bright.Poem 2 (Lucky You):How lucky you are.Your hair always looks perfect.You never have anything stuck in your teeth.Your bank account is full.You always have the foods you love on your table.You are surrounded by family and friends.You have found love.You have all you need, and most of what you want.All of that makes you lucky, but what makes you the luckiest...You know me.You're welcome.Poem 3 (Lucky Me):You came into my life unexpectedly.I wasn't looking for anyone.I wasn't wanting anything.I was content.Then there you were.You swept me off my feet.From our chance meeting, to our first kiss.I cannot wait to see what the future holds.I feel so lucky.You make me happy.You keep me entertained.I look forward to each new day with you.I want to write you a daily haiku and make you endless cups of coffee.I want to thank you for choosing me.Lucky me.Poem 4 (Lucky Tonight):It is all I can think about.It is all I want. I cannot wait for you to walk in the door.I have missed you all day.All I have thought about is the moment you get home.The look that will be on your face, when you finally come inside and see me.That smile.That look of love.I cannot wait to cook dinner with you.I cannot wait to watch our shows together.I cannot wait to crawl into bed together.I cannot wait to get lucky tonight.Okay. There you have it, my contribution to March's Poetry Collaboration!! Now, take yourself over to see what poetry my friends have shared this month!!

Friday, March 10, 2017

Welcome to March's Secret Subject Swap. This month twelve brave bloggers submitted a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts.

So, about this awesome topic, it really made me have deep thoughts for days. Yes, days. I mean I really thought deeply about this. I tried to figure out how deep and personal I wanted to go with it, and I honestly almost decided to go very deep with it. I almost decided to reveal some deeply personal information. In the end, I decided to not go quite so deep, but I am going to give a very honest answer.

Now, as far as cruises and boats go, I am not the biggest fan in the world. I am kinda scared of them. Now, I did not watch the show about the Love Boat, but I am going to go with this being a boat about love/relationships.

That being said... I decided that what I would want, is to be put on a cruise ship, not just any cruise ship, but the most amazing cruise ship, with EVERYONE I love. Many of my loved ones, have gone many years without seeing me. So, I want to spend an entire month with them.

As for the ship itself, I want it to be the largest, most amazing cruise ship ever. I want the entire top deck to be all about entertainment and relaxation. I want there to be a pool and a water slide, and game areas, and a spa, and some hot tubs. I want there to be plenty of rooms, with plush, comfortable beds. I want there to be large jacuzzi tubs and walk in showers, in every room. I want families to share rooms. There to be bunk beds for the kids. I want the accommodations to be perfect. I want the dining room to be designed so that people can enjoy their meals, and the company of others.

Since this is a fantasy, I want there to be a stage, and I want there to be live entertainment nightly. I would love to choose the bands and performers that would serenade us (Think Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Adele, The xx, Radiohead, Aaron Lewis, George Strait, Disturbed, Tool, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Daft Punk, Cee-Lo Green, Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, etc etc). I would want the ship to be just far enough offshore, that we are secluded, but close enough, that we can easily reach land.

I would like us to be able to do activities off the boat, such as scuba diving and riding on jet skis and swimming. I want the entire experience to be FUN. I also just want to make rounds, spending time with all the people I love. It also makes me happy that the people I love would get to know Gigi, and Gigi would get to know them. Some of the most important people in my life, have never been able to meet Gigi. So, really this would be the perfect experience.

Yes, my mind immediately went to the romance option, and I did think of a fantastic option for that route, but in the end I think this would be the best way to go. I could literally have everyone I love in one place, for an entire month. It would be AMAZING. I would be beyond happy. I think this would make me so happy, that I would literally be high on happiness for months after wards. Actually, if anyone could make this actually happen... Let me know. I am all for this!!

What about you?! How would winning a cruise on the Love Boat play out for you?! Do you like the way I spun it?! Would you prefer a romantic spin on it?! Let me know how you would have worked this subject!!

I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a lovely weekend!! Today is our last day on vacation. We have spent the last week in Arizona, with Chad's Dad and step mom. It has been a truly wonderful week. I wish we still had a few days left. At the same time, I am ready to be back to normal, and back home. I have fallen in love with Arizona. It is lovely here. I could happily live here.

Here are links to all the sites featuring this month's Secret Subject Swap posts.Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:

So, I have another book review for you! This time it is a book by Marilyn Lakewood. This was my first book of hers, which I have read, but it will not be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Marilyn has a great writing style. It was an easy to read, entertaining book, and it did not disappoint me.

If you have read and enjoyed "Fifty Shades of Grey", then I honestly think you will enjoy this book. If you did not like FSoG, I still think you might enjoy this book. It was different enough from FSoG, that I feel it will appeal to fans and non fans alike. Now, if the reason you did not like FSoG, was because of the BDSM themed storyline, then I honestly think you will not like this book. As the title suggests, this book is full of BDSM.

I honestly think you will fall in love with the characters in this book. I found myself really liking Sophie, and I became invested in her search for a Dominant. I also really found myself liking both Dex and Jake. I really found myself cheering them both on, in their attempt to win Sophie over. Marilyn did an awesome job developing the characters, and giving us a really good feel for who they are as people. I have a definite favorite of the guys, and I would love to hear which one was your favorite. Despite having a definite favorite, I found myself wanting them both to win her over.

This book had such an interesting plot. If you are a fan of the Bachelor and Bachelorette TV shows, I think you will truly enjoy this book. The entire story is based on the Bachelorette show concept, with a BDSM twist. It was intriguing and entertaining.

This book is HOT, HOT, HOT. If you don't like steamy, hot romances, you may find it difficult to read this book. However, you could easily skim those parts, and still really enjoy the story as a whole. There is much more to this book than just the steamy parts.

I definitely recommend this book!! If you do read it, please let me know what you thought!! I would love to discuss this book with others!!

Please keep reading, to find out how to get this book for yourself, learn about the author, and read a synopsis and an excerpt from the book.

Book: Single Submissive

Author: Marilyn Lakewood

Genre: Dominant/submissive ménage romance

Release Date: 28th February
#SingleSubmissiveTour

Synopsis

A television dating show? What sensible woman does that?
Desperate times force drastic measures as thirty-two-year-old Sophie Baxter searches for Mr. Right Dom. But for a shy submissive, five weeks on a reality show might be a bad decision. One decision is easy, however: the Dom she chooses won’t be an actor.
Dex Hampton… successful film actor, coveted bachelor, and England’s sexiest export, but for this mysterious, reserved Dominant, fame isn’t a goal. Finding the right submissive is his top priority, and he’ll do anything to get his girl.
Jake Sinclair’s golden good looks and rakish Aussie charm fuel his flourishing acting career. He does his own stunts and tackles life full on. He’s achieved everything he’s ever wanted, except finding the right submissive. When he sees Sophie, nothing will stop him from winning her. Not even the competition of his longtime friend and fellow Dominant, Dex Hampton.
As the entire world watches, two movie superstars compete for a beautiful submissive who is ready to yield in all ways but one: she will not have an actor as a Dom.

“I entered my name as a contestant for the new bachelorette reality show, The Single Submissive.” Sophie kept her voice as quiet as possible.

Across the table her best friend stopped chewing and blinked up from her plate. Elise’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. “You did what?”

“That new show… with submissive bachelorettes. I applied to be the bachelorette.”

“Wow, I’m… surprised is an understatement. Considering how shy you are. I mean, you’ll be in front of millions of people, and they’ll all know you’re a—”

“Sub? Yes,” she whispered.

Elise whispered too, but it came out more as a hiss. “See? You can’t even say the whole word out loud in public. How can you think you’ll be able to go on national television and talk about your most intimate life?”

“I have very good reasons for doing this.”

“Such as?”

“I’m broke.”

“No, you’re not! You’re the best costume designer on the West Coast.”

“Shh.” Sophie put her finger to her lips. “I’m meeting expenses, but I have no savings. I need to think about that now.”

“Uh oh. That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? Your last birthday?”

“No, of course not.” Well, maybe. The words old spinster flashed in her head.

“It is! You think thirty-two is over the hill, don’t you?” Thirty-five-year-old Elise looked affronted. But her friend was stunning, and Elise had a forty-five-year-old Dom who was one of the hottest, classiest men Sophie knew. Men like that didn’t fall out of the sky.

“No, of course not.” Sophie would never look as glamorous as Elise, though, no matter how many birthdays. “I’m just feeling a little low, that’s all.”

“So you thought going on TV and telling the world you’re a subbie would help?”

“No… Well, maybe.”

“Okay, truth time. Why are you doing this?”

“I’m lonely.” She sagged back into her seat.

“Aww, girlfriend, you had that cute suit chasing you around last month. I know you’re cautious, but he seemed solid and nice.”

“He was nice, just not a Dom.”

“How do you know?”

“I asked him.” Her cheeks burned with embarrassment recalling the evening. “He got that look in his eyes—the one of a polite vanilla person out of their depth with kinky. I don’t blame him. We all have our preferences and limits. My wanting a Dom was out of his comfort zone. I understand.”

“So you told him it wouldn’t work?”

“Yes.” And now she was lonely… again… but it wasn’t fair to start something neither could be happy with.

“We should go to the club. Maybe you’ll meet someone this time.”

Sophie started shaking her head the moment she heard “club.” That had been awkward and unproductive. “No, I never catch anyone’s eye in that kind of environment. At least no one I’m attracted to.” Elise’s flashy looks grabbed attention, but Sophie was just pretty—average face, average figure. Mr. Right Dom had not come walking out of the dim interior and offered to collar her. “I need to explore a new gene pool, or Dom pool.”

Meet The Author

Marilyn and her husband live in the northwest U.S., not too far from the Canadian border. She thinks the long, cold winters are perfect “writing weather.” Most of the time, she doesn’t mind the short days, or the snow—except when she needs to drive in a blizzard, in the dark.
Marilyn started writing sexy stories “just for fun” and she’ll joyously admit she’s obsessed with creating hard-core dominant heroes and happily-ever-after endings.
Writing erotic romance lets her explore love, passion, and sex, through the lens of different characters and settings. It’s also a way to keep her imagination kindled during the September to March “cold snap.” Marilyn loves music, flowers, sci-fi and romance movies, and taking daily walks with Precious, her rescued dog.
She’s a country girl at heart, and although she imagines travelling to distant, romantic shores, her favorite place is home with her family.

What I need you to know.... I was NOT paid to give this review. I received a FREE ARC of the book, and all I was asked to do, was give an HONEST review of my opinion. The opinions expressed in this post, are my honest feelings about the book.